Vigil shines light on local homelessness

Thursday

Jan 31, 2008 at 2:00 AM

EXETER — Signs outside the Town Hall Wednesday night read, "Not on Our Watch," as a large group of people joined together and stood in the cold, holding lighted candles and singing, in an effort to raise community awareness about a global and local issue that affects every town in the country and the world — homelessness.

Ashley Chamberlain

EXETER — Signs outside the Town Hall Wednesday night read, "Not on Our Watch," as a large group of people joined together and stood in the cold, holding lighted candles and singing, in an effort to raise community awareness about a global and local issue that affects every town in the country and the world — homelessness.

The 19th annual Vigil for the Homeless, held by students of Exeter High School and Phillips Exeter Academy offered singing, prayer, and speeches about homelessness, and also publicly kicked off another community project, Tents of Hope. The vigil benefits local nonprofits such as the Cross Roads House homeless shelter in Portsmouth. It was started many years ago as a way to join students of both PEA and EHS to raise awareness of homelessness on the Seacoast.

Proceeds from the sale of vigil candles will go to Cross Roads House, Seacoast Interfaith Hospitality Network, Rockingham Community Action and New Generation Shelter, all of which support individuals and families dealing with homelessness.

The Tents of Hope Project is a national effort to educate U.S. citizens about the genocide in Darfur and its 2.5 million refugees. The tents represent a symbol of loss for a survivor or family who no longer has a home, and offers a message of hope for a new life.

After walking from the New Outlook Teen Center and all the way to the Town Hall, the Rev. Robert Thompson of PEA collected the group together and started the event in song outside, reminding people that together, they can make a difference. He also asked everyone to put themselves in the shoes of a homeless person.

"We are doing this for those who don't have the choice to enter into a warm building."

Justine Shea, of Rockingham Community Action, is a specialist at the Homeless Outreach Program of Rockingham County, and has been attending the vigil for 12 years. She said that last month had the most attendance she has ever seen at the local shelters.

"It's a reminder that homelessness has not gone away. There is a big need for programs. People are so involved with their day to day and own problems that it is easy to overlook others problems, which are usually worse than our own."

Martha Stone, development director for Cross Roads House, said the shelter is near capacity. "It's year round that our services are in demand, but we don't turn people away," Stone said. "People that speak with me are surprised to learn there are so many homeless people in this area because it is such a great place to live. One of the great things about this type of event is people will learn how they can get involved and help."

Shea said people can volunteer time, contribute financially, donate goods, and get the word out that there is need.

Cahaley Markman, a student at PEA, is also part of Hats for the Homeless, and has been knitting hats and scarves throughout the fall and winter semesters, all of which were displayed at the Town Hall. The knit goods will go straight to the shelters to be donated to others.

Karen Prior, a local organizer and member of the community Tents of Hope project said that students really want people to get involved with the awareness efforts for both local and global homelessness.

"I think it raises awareness of homelessness in the community where people probably don't think there is much. Taking Tents of Hope out to the community will help increase awareness about homelessness, and it's getting a lot of momentum quickly."

Laurie Loosigian, PEA community service coordinator, said that people all over the United States will decorate and paint their own tents, which will be sent to Washington, D.C. and displayed in October.

The Tents of Hope project is a group effort of the Congregational Church of Exeter, PEA, the EHS STAND Chapter (Student Anti-Genocide Coalition) and NH Citizens for Divestment. Together, they will paint the tent panels with images of remembrance and hope, for a message of unity with the people of Darfur.

Lauren Chaisson, one of four EHS seniors who started the local chapter of STAND, said that the group raises awareness and money, and then sends the funds to aid people of Darfur.

"I think the vigil is really important because it gives a voice to all aspects of our community when we come together under a common goal."

State Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-Exeter, said that events like the vigil are necessary because it helps to inform teens and younger people about advocating and getting people involved and educated about problems in the community and world. She also said that she was happy to see that many Exeter citizens were very active in helping the people of Darfur.

"Homelessness is an issue that continues to need attention."

Sue Fitzgerald, who formed N.H. Citizens for Divestment along with Helen Crowe, and is also a member of Tents of Hope agreed that educating children to work to help others in need will make a better world for everyone, so events like the vigil are great for advocating a good cause.

"Kids won't learn about what happens to other people, or how to help them, unless we teach them or show them how."

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